Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) is raising concerns about what he describes as a deliberate effort by the FBI, CDC and media outlets to suppress data that shows how often armed citizens prevent crimes and mass shootings. Massie referenced a report by Dr. John R. Lott Jr. that claims federal agencies are obscuring key information on defensive gun use.
Dr. Lott’s article reveals that the CDC removed its estimates of defensive gun uses from its website after a 2013 study showed that guns are used defensively anywhere from 64,000 to 3 million times annually. This data was reportedly removed after lobbying by gun control advocates who feared it was being used to block new gun restrictions.
Lott also criticizes how the FBI defines “active shooter” incidents, claiming the definition is overly broad and that the agency’s reliance on news reports creates a bias against armed citizens. While the FBI reported that only 14 shooters were stopped by armed citizens between 2014 and 2023, Lott’s research found that 180 shooters were stopped by civilians during the same time frame, with an additional 27 incidents where the shooter was stopped before any shots were fired.
Massie argues that, as the 2024 election draws closer, the debate over gun control will intensify. He emphasizes that the Second Amendment is fundamentally about protecting the right of citizens to defend themselves and calls on future leaders to uphold these rights.
